Even in is 40s, Big Boi remains one-of-a-kind. While his partner-in-crime André 3000 has been ‘missing-in-action’ when it comes to dropping albums, Big Boi has remained on the radar. Still, his third solo album, Boomiverse, arrives nearly five years after his last, Vicious Lies and Dangerous Rumors. Based upon singles, Boomiverse should be as ambitious and eclectic as everything else Big Boi has dropped. On single “In the South” however, he keeps it traditional, – southern – enlisting Pimp C and Gucci Mane as guests.

“In the South” instantly hits the listener with the southern rap vibe. That’s thanks largely to the vocals of the late, great Pimp C. Pimp blesses the track from the jump:

“They wanna know what’s going on in the south / Now tell that b*tch to keep my name up out ya mouth.”

In addition to secret weapon Pimp C, the production work sounds like old school, southern rap. The bass line is pronounced, and the vibes are laid back and luxurious. “Mic Jack,” step aside.

With the tone set, Gucci Mane gets the rhymes going. Naturally, given the slow, laid back approach of the record, he’s a perfect fit. What does Gucci say on the track exactly? He flexes, referencing material things, mobbing, and asserts his “main b*tch rolling for me just like my hoes do.” After partaking of his verse, all you say is, #Gangsta.

Naturally, the Pimp C intro forms the hook, in all its repetitive glory. It sets up the second verse by Big Boi, who manages to find a way to reference Timothy McVeigh, for better or for worse.

“Timothy McVeigh, knock it down like OKC, boy / And ain’t no n*gga on ya playlist f*cking with A-list n*gga like B-I-G B-O-I, why?”

The takedown is questionable, but Big Boi has always been “one of a kind.”

Final Thoughts

All in all, Big Boi has a banger on his hands with “In the South.” Neither he nor Gucci Mane delivers any knockout punches with their rhymes, but the vibe is simply irresistible. Keeping it 100, it is Pimp C who is the crème de la crème here. In reiteration, “They wanna know what’s going on in the south / Now tell that b*tch to keep my name up out ya mouth!”

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About the musical hype

the musical hype aka Brent Faulkner has earned Bachelor and Masters degrees in music (music Education, music theory/composition respectively). A multi-instrumentalist, he plays piano, trombone, and organ among numerous other instruments. He’s a certified music educator, composer, and a freelance music journalist. Faulkner cites music and writing as two of the most important parts of his life. Notably, he’s blessed with a great ear, possessing perfect pitch.